New-look Chandravally area greets tourists

CHITRADURGA: The Chandravally area, which forms 15-sqkm open museum of Chitradurga rock fort, has been the main place of attraction for tourists. The area is also a place of historical importance. During an excavation here, the archaeological deparmtnet had unearthed Greek coins, terracotta artifacts, etc.
The district administration is now developing the area, barely 2 km away from the city towards its south, into an important tourist spot.Former DC K Amaranarayana had evinced interest in desilting and resurrecting the historical tank built to harvest rainwater besides a rivulet by spending Rs 17 lakh released by the Union government. This has also helped recharging of borewells in the vicinity.
"The tank besides Sri Huligondi Siddeswaraswamy Temple was strengthened by first Kannada king Mayura Varma in the early fourth century (as per a rock inscription)," said B Rajasekharappa, noted researcher. From here, Mayura Varma established his kingdom. The underground pre-historic Ankalimutt cave den, with beautiful colour carvings besides the tank, and Dhavalappa's hill are the other attractions for tourists and researchers.
Some 68,000 species of trees, planted and nurtured by Chinmuladri Bruhanmutt on 250 acres (to the south of the tank) a decade ago, are a feast for nature lovers. Hundreds of strollers walk up to the pergola put up on the hilltop by the department of social forestry every morning and evening.
Rotarian Mallikarjun and some senior citizens who have played a major role in the restoration of the tank and the raising of forest species highlighted the importance of fencing the tank to stop its misuse.